FINALLY!! :)

Hey guys!!
I'm so glad to finally get to post again. These past few days have been CRAZY! Even my day off flew by- and the internet didn't work for DAYS here. No bueno.

So, let's see..

I went to Rio III last week! It's my favorite place. Just a quick explanation- "Rio" is Spanish for river- and the Spanish government allows the homeless to create homes, essentially out of garbage, since they don't have government housing here.

We took the group on a walk as we explained a little about the hurricane that hit last year, and what kind of damage that created for the Rio community. As we were walking, a dead chicken was laying on the ground amongst the piles of rotten food and garbage. It breaks my heart. I just can't even fathom not knowing when my next meal was going to be, or when if ever I would be able to clothe my children.
It was SO cool to see all has done for a small church in the Rio though! I honestly didn't recognize it! It had DOUBLED in size!! I'm not even exaggerating! I'm hoping to get to go back next week to take pictures!

I'm rather disappointed in myself!! I have barely taken any pictures!! It's quite different as an intern. There's SO much to do! I love it- it's so rewarding and exciting! But it also leaves little time to take any pics!

We had a GIGANTE FIESTA (giant party!) yesterday!! It was AWESOME! Each year there is a group that comes, and the man who leads the group brings T-shirts for EVERYONE, and pays to have this huge celebration. EVERY children's home we serve came to the back-to-back campus for the party! We had a huge tent set up, the kids got to see this neat program with costumed characters. And we all got to eat these steak (very expensive in Mexico) tacos with homemade pico de gallo and guacamole on them!!! It was so awesome.
The BEST part?! I got to meet the mother of the girls I sponsor!!

I realize this may not make sense- so let me explain as best as I can.

In Mexico, a parent does not need to sign over rights in order to drop a child off at a children's home. If a parent is no longer able to provide for a child, they are able to take them to a Casa Hogar. Wendy and Lidia's mom visits them about once very two weeks or so. I was finally able to meet her. I got a Spanish speaker to come over and try to explain how I was connected to her girls, but I'm not quite sure she understood. She was also very young. It seemed as if she really just didn't know what to do with the girls- if they cried or wanted to be held or anything. I'm really happy to know her, and to be able to put a face on who I am praying for. A friend here took a picture of the four of us, so I'm hoping to get it off her camera tonight! :)

Today's my day off, so it's laundry time! :) I'm hoping to get to go to Pollo Loco tonight with everyone- just have to hitch a ride with someone who's also going here.

I miss y'all and can't wait to hear from everyone when I get back! I honestly can't believe it'll only be 11 days until I get back! How weird!! To be honest I don't feel ready to go yet!!

The kids in Rio III singing to us! I cried, of course!! :) A girl (not in this picture, because she was attached to me!) recognized me!! She also kept asking over and over "are you coming back?" When are you coming back?" I can't wait to see her again. :)

This is me and my friend Kathy Couch! She took me to get ice cream!! We split that GIGANTIC banana split and STILL couldn't finish it! I had such a great time getting to hang out and talk with her!! She is a remarkable woman!!

I think this little fellah's name is Arturo. He was the sweetest. :) He got this tiny little scratch on the bottom of his foot, and asked me to pour water on it (from the pool) to make it better. So, I sat there for about a half an hour, pouring handfuls of water on his little boo-boo. Then, it hit me. This kid probably never gets that kind of attention. You've gotta be bleeding to the point of possible death to get serious one-on-one like that at a children's home! So, of course, I started crying for the 1,000th time this trip. :) There are roughly 8 children per encargata (caregiver)-actually probably even more... and as much as they would love to spend individual time with each child- they just can't. Makes me so sad...

Thanks for reading my ramblings guys! :)